Firing mechanism



Oct. 21 1924.

F. D. SPRAGUE ET AL FIRING MECHANISM Filed July 24 1917 mmsmwmmwmw INVENTORS FRAN/f pEsMo/vp @PRAGUE PH/L/P 'WHALLEY ALL/50N 11.1% Wij {@e ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 2l, 1924.

NITED STATES PATEN ()FCEQt FRANK DESMOND SPRAGUE AND PHILIP WHALLEY .ALLISOBL OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIRING MECHANISM.

Application led July 24, 1917. Serial No. 182,538.

T o all w71 o m z' t 'may concern:

Be it known that we, FnANK DESMOND SPRAGUE andv PHILIP vWHALLEY ALLISON, citizens of the United States 'of America, and residents, respectively, of the city of New York, county of Queens, and State of New York, and ot the city of New' York, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Firing Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to firing mechanisms for use in bringing about the eXplo-vA sion or detonation of explosives. The mechanism has a wide range of employment, being cap-able of use with projectiles of all kinds, (e. g., shells, torpedoes, aerial bombs, depth charges, etc.,) in. mines and in the firing mechanisms of ordnance and iire arms, in which a normally locked mechanism is required and in which a movement of a part is necessary to cause a subsequent detonation or explosion. An example of the use of the firing mechanism in projectiles is shown in our companion application, Sr. No. 182,537, Fd. July 241, 1917.

- The object of the invention the production of a firing mechanism as above indicated, which is normally locked by means of a ball-clutch, the ositive movement of one of the parts of w ich' must be effected before the hammer is released for firing. The invention aims at the production of a mechanism which is proof against all ordinary accidental discharge.

In the accompanying drawings, we have illustrated three adaptations of our invention in order that it may be readily comprehended, but it is to be understood that the forms shown are merely illustrative and that ou'r invent-ion is by no means confined thereto.

In these drawings, which form a part of this application,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of one of the forms of our invention, wherein the movement of the clutch-member for releasing the hammer compresses the firing Spring;

Fig. 2 isa pla-n of a portion of the clutch of the firing mechanism illustrated in Fia l;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of lanother form of our invention wherein the firing spring is fully compressed in vthe normal o1' at rest position of the mechanism; and

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of `still another' form of our invention having the same above noted characteristics as the form illustrated in Fig-1. I

Eachof the three illustrated forms is shown as independent of any permanent mounting, for the mounting is optional and will probably varywith the various forms or types of explosive container to which the mounting tuberi, abutting at the forward end against an annular shoulder 5, and being held in place at the rear end by a plate 6- screwed into vthe tube. A firing cap or cartridge 7 is centrally mounted in the plate, which is bored and countersunk for the purpose, and is held' in position by another plate 8' which is centrally bored to permit the exploding of the cap in a manner lator to be described.

The ring mechanism comprises an outer clut-ch and beari.1g member 10, which is illustrated in :the form of a hollow cylinder and the rear end'of the cylinder is shouldered and serves as a support for the aforesaid plate 8 so that the latter is lirmly held against the plate 6 and the cap 7.

The cylinder is 4internally machined and serves as a bearing and support for the piston-like hammer 11. It is provided with an annular groove or recess 12 which is bevelled at the rear, and its bore is reduced toward the front so as to aii'ord a shoulder 13 which serves as a stop to limitthe forward motion of the hammer and so as to provide a pocket for the forward portion of a helical firing spring 14 which seats therein and which is normally under slight f l ation@ initiate l,

I' :caille 113.1 s I'Ihis fon becoming taut.r @pulls the v;.;resistgehearifiderital:forti/ar, D l f the iliiannner and spindle are; not limited; to y z s i d 'pas 1 ,Spinal real partj o =.k;.: y l is? obvious that elements@ :movement oi nto thefront part and je tends into tlle end ofithe hammer iti i'spjroifidcd i 1 201 wh1chi,fwheni tliezsp n n .ringwthegoperatizon hanis'rnj new nder discus;sinn;y this; v

hammer 11 forwardly or to the left (as shown) in the cylinder 10 until the balls 21 2l reach a position opposite the recess 12,

when the bevelled face on the rear of the groove 2O in the spindle 15 forces the balls outwardly and releases the spindle. The spindle is then pulled out by the cable, and the balls, under the effort exerted by the firing spring, are forced inwardly by the bevelled face of the recess 12 until the hammer is released. It will be observed that the pull ing back of the hammer by the spindle has increased the compression of the firing spring. The hammer, now released, plun es rearwardly into the firing cap or cartridgge 7, which is exploded, and in turn explodes or detonates anyexplosive which may be placed around it.

It will be observed that any slight pull on the cable, or any slight forward displacement of spindle 15, due to jar or other cause, will effect no operative derangement of the apparatus, as the hammer 11 is under the initial compression of the spring and will not be pulled to the front far.4 enough to allow balls 21 21 to move outward, and so release spindle 15. As soon as the effect of the jar or the pull on the cable has ceased, the spring 14 will return all parts to their original position. A certain definite tension sani? :within by?anpullontheifiringijx v v. v the spindle fand; the; outer :ciu-tch: member.;

The ring spring, 14 is here intended to be compressed to the desired extent for firing. The firing cable is, of course, intended to be mounted in the spindle in the same manner as in the case of Fig. 1 and its showing is not repeated.

The operation of this form is effected by a pullof the firing cable which on withdrawing the spindle shears the wires 22 22, and the balls, now free to move inwardly, are so forced-by the combined action of the firing spring and the rear bevelled edge of the recess or groove 12, whereupon the hammer is released and plunges to the. rear to explode the cap 7 in the same manner as in the, case of the construction of Fig. 1.

Vhile in this specific illustration there is no provision for forward movement of the hammer for safety purposes such as in the case of the construction of Fig. 1, it is to be noted that the firing spring is fully compressed in the normal position of the parts; and that this, together with the shearing wires, opposes a release movement o the parts and tends to prevent accidental -dis- V charge: further, that as in the case of Fig. 1, the means to resist accidental forward movement of the spindle are not limited tothose acting in the interior construction of the firing mechanism.

In the coiistructionof the form illustrated in Fig. 4f, the outer Aclutch member 210 is ,also similarto that of Fig. 1 and is closed at the rear with the centrallyapertured plate 8.- Its rearwardly bevelled recess or a lforward movement of the hammer precisely-as-in the case-of Fig.l 1 to increase the compression of the .firing springfor firing and to permit of vits normal compression being comparatively slight.v

The spindle 215 isy like the spindle illustrated rin Fig. 3 but the shearing wires22 22 are here placed through vthe lrear of'. the

.spindle and-the head of the'haminer, the

spindle, for convenience in. assemblingbeing made in two parts. The' spindle operates normally to maintain the balls in locking engagement with the groove 112. It is intended to be equipped ,with a .tiring cable in the same manner as in the construction of Fig. land a repetition of the showing is accordingly omitted. y

Vhen the firing cable is drawn taut the i spindle draws the hammer and balls forwardly until the forward part of the ham mer seats against the annular shoulder 13 when the shearing wires are shorn and the spindle withdrawn. The shearing of the wires and the withdrawing of the spindle permits the hammer to plunge to the rear and the balls to move inwardly, which they are compelled to doon striking the rear bevelled edge of the recess 112. The rearward movement of the hammer explodes lthe cap 7 as heretofore described.

From the foregoing description of Figs.y

1 and 3 it should be obvious that ample safety means are provided in the construction of the form shown in Fig. et.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding and no undue limitation should be deduced therefrom but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of` the United States is:

1. In a firing mechanism, the combination of a hammer provided with recesses, a iring spring to project the hammer, a clutch for restraining the releaseof the hammer comprisingthe combination of a plurality of balls, carried in and cooperating with the recesses of the hammer kand moving therewith on firing movement thereof, and a part whereby the ballsare normally maintained in locking engagement and means for coinpressing the tiring spring. and .for releasing the clutch, substantially as described.-

.2. In .a firing mechanism,y the combination of a iiringniember provided with recesses, resilient nieansfor propelling the firing member for firing, a clutclrfoi' restraining 'tliefmovement Vof vthe firingmenibci coin-- prisinga plurality of balls carried in and cooperating `jwith the recesses of the firing member and moving therewithv` .onl firing movement thereof, and means for releasing saidrlutch on an increaseofpressure on said resilient means. y

3. Ina firing mechanism, thecoinbination of a firing member, resilientmeans for ef- `fectingy a Vfiring movement ithereof, a ball clutch normally restraining said ringmember and comprisingan inner member and an. outer member, "the inner member being movable to release the'. said clutch, means for compressing said resilient means on releasing movement of the said element.

f4. In a firing mechanism, the combination of ka firing member, a firingcspring, land aball clutch normally restraining said firing member and comprising a plurality of elements, onejof said elements being centrally positioned in the 'fuse mechanism .and movable to release the said-clutch,- tlie iii-ing spring opposingtl'ie release movement of said-element. c V- 5. In a firing mechanism, the combination of a firing member provided with recesses, resilient means for propelling the tiring member for firing, a ball clutch for restraining the Vmovement of the firing member comprising a plurality of balls, carried in and cooperating with the recesses 0f the liring member and moving therewith on iii-ing movement thereof, an inner clutch member and outer clutch member, one of said clutch members being normally locked with the firing member, means for effecting relative movement of the said last named parts in respect to the -other clutch member whereby the clutch is released and the resilient means are compressed for tiring.

6. In a firing mechanism. a clutch comprising the Vcombination of a plurality of balls, a carrying member provided with recesses for the balls, an annularly grooved movement of the balls to release the spindlewhen the balls are brought opposite thereto, substantially as described.

7. In a firing mechanism, the combination leo' of :1 clutch comprising a ball, a ball carrying firingY member, a central member, and an outer member, the ball carrying firing member, central member andonter ymember each containinga recess for the said ball, a 'spring for' propelling the. firing member, and means for compressing the spring and for bringing the recesses into release alignment.'

8. Ina firing mechanism, the combination of a plnrnlityof balls, a ball carrying firing member, a centralv member, and an outer member, the ball carrying firing member, central member and outer member being relatively movable in respect to each other, and each containing recesses 'for' the said balls, the recesses in two of said members being normally'out of alignment, a spring for propelling the `firing member, means for compressing the said spring and means Whereby after said spring is compressed and said alignment is established between the said recesses the last; named member is released for firing movement.- 'I

9s In a firing mechanism, the combination with a firing member, of a clutch comprising a plurality ofvballs carried in the recesses of the said firing member, movable therewith on iring movementl thereof, `operating to restrain said firing 'movement, and released by an arming movement of thev firing member,- anda resilient element placed under tension by the arming movement of the rmem ing.

ing member to cause `ya firing movement thereof when released.

l0. Ina firing mechanism, the combination with'afiring member provided with recesses and a supporting membertherefor, of a clutch' normally restraining the firing movement of the ring member in respect to the supporting member, andcomprising a plurality of balls rcarried in and cooperatln with the'recesses of the firing member an moving therewith on firing movement thereof, a resilient element for effectingV a firing movement of the firingvmember, rand means for moving one'oi` the said-'members to disenga e the ',clutchand place the resilient er under compression to effect the fr 11. In a firing mechanism the combination of a ring member, va'clutch Vnormally restraining said iring'member, a firing spring and a member arranged axially with respect to the firing mechanism underimpulse of which the firing spring is compressed, and the clutch isv released.

Signed at Washington, D. C., this 23rd dayjo July, 1917.

' FRANK DESMOND SPRAGUE.

lPHILIP WHALLEY ALLISON. Witnesses: l HAROLD COUVEGHIE,

STACY H. BRIANT. 

